Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday called for developing a skill- and technology-based practical and job-oriented education system in the country instead of certificate-based education.

"In this era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, there is no alternative to modernising and updating the traditional education curriculum to face the challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation," he said.

Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP chairman, made these remarks while addressing the inaugural session of a training programme on job-oriented and technical education for teachers at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in the capital.

National University (NU) organised the training programme with the theme 'We will take job-oriented education, we will work around the world' aimed at developing 12,000 college teachers across the country as skilled teachers.

The Prime Minister said the fascist rule and exploitation of more than a decade and a half have not only taken away the democratic political rights of the people of the country or rendered the country's constitutional and statutory institutions ineffective, but has also disrupted the country's education system.

"It is now our turn to turn around in democratic Bangladesh," he added.

Emphasizing on building a knowledge-based state and society, the premier said, "We must prepare ourselves in education, knowledge, science, and technology to honor the contributions of the brave people who have sacrificed their lives to establish democracy and protect the freedom of the country and its people at every turn of history, since the achievement of the country's independence and the Liberation War till today. Otherwise, it will be difficult to survive in global competition."

Highlighting the role of the National University in expanding higher education, Tarique Rahman said more than 40 lakh students are currently studying in over 2,000 affiliated colleges across the country.

Former Prime Minister late Begum Khaleda Zia established this university in 1992 to resolve the crisis in higher education management and ensure education for all, he said, adding, this institution can play the most important role in expanding modern and technology-based higher education in the country.

Describing the rapid change in technology, the premier said, "While many old professions are at risk due to automation and AI-driven technologies, a lot of new jobs are being created. To cope with this technological revolution, it is essential to include subjects like artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, programming, digital entrepreneurship, quantum computing, nanotechnology and 5G technology in the education curriculum."

The current government has already started the work of making the education curriculum from primary to the highest level pragmatic and technology-based, he added.

The Prime Minister emphasised on reducing the unemployment rate of highly educated people, saying, "Despite attaining the highest academic certificates, many remain unemployed due to lack of practical skills. To overcome this situation, the government is taking effective steps to increase apprenticeships, internships and industry-academia collaboration."

Initially, he said, these steps are being implemented in divisional cities, so that students can acquire work skills along with their studies.

Highlighting the government's various initiatives to develop young people as entrepreneurs, Tarique Rahman said, "A decision has been taken to provide 'seed funding' or 'innovation grants' through a competitive process to commercialize 'innovative business ideas' in colleges and universities to create business entrepreneurs from the campus."

He further noted, "As a result, young people will be able to create employment themselves instead of chasing jobs."

Putting emphasis on moral education along with technology, the Prime Minister said, "There is no alternative to moral education to become a humane person. Along with skills and modernization, the National University authorities must be more careful about the morality, mental health, social inclusion and environmental protection of students."

He also remarked that if one can learn a third language along with Bangla and English, there will be no shortage of jobs at home and abroad.

Urging teachers to play a role as pioneers and role models for social change, the premier said, "If the country's students and youth are transformed into a technologically skilled workforce, a prosperous and self-reliant Bangladesh will be a role model for the world."

Terming national development as a collective journey, Tarique Rahman sought the united cooperation of all, including universities, teachers, students, guardians, civil society, and the industrial sector, in building a knowledge- and merit-based society.

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon, Prime Minister's Adviser for education Mahdi Amin and NU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ASM Amanullah also spoke at the inaugural session.